The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Saline's Lielbriedis challenges Byrnes for State House
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: July 10, 2008
Saline real estate broker Eric Lielbriedis, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democratic state Rep. Pam Byrnes of Lyndon Township for the 52nd District seat in Lansing.
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Although their names will appear on opposite sides of the ballot, the Aug. 5 primary election will be a good warm-up exercise for the big contest in November.
Following are questions and answers to give readers a way to compare the two candidates.
Byrnes: Please give us a quick rundown on your family, your political resume, and any aspirations beyond the House of Representatives.
My husband, Kent Brown, and I live on a small farm. We have two adult daughters and two really cute grandsons.
I am completing my second term as State Representative and hope to be re-elected to a final term. I am Associate Speaker Pro Tempore and Chair of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee; I also sit on three other Appropriations subcommittees.
Prior to being a full-time representative, I practiced law and served four years as a Washtenaw County Road Commissioner. My earlier public service includes being a member of the Saline Planning Commission and the Historic District Commission.
As far as my future political aspirations, I am focused on serving my constituents and looking forward to serving my final term in the House.
Lielbriedis: Please give us a quick rundown on your family, your qualifications for the House of Representatives, and your reasons for seeking state elected office.
My wife and I are first-generation Americans; our parents were uprooted from the country of Latvia after the Soviet occupation. We have one son in third grade.
I spent five years working for an environmental consulting firm outside Washington D.C., then earned my Finance MBA.
I spent a few years with an Internet boom company as their operations manager then moved to commercial real estate where I am now a licensed broker.
I am running for the state House because Michigan is on the wrong track. We need a change - in job losses, in negative GDP, in skyrocketing unemployment, and certainly in collapsing property values.
Lansing's priorities are all over the map. They look at thousands of bills each year and make plenty of new laws, but not what the state as a whole requires.
Byrnes: What are the top three initiatives you would focus on if re-elected, and why?
While there are many issues demanding our attention, three areas that stand out are transportation infrastructure, energy, and education.
They are instrumental in improving our economic outlook. It is critical to attracting new business that we look at our transportation infrastructure, particularly in Southeast Michigan in developing a supply link hub.
I have been appointed by the Speaker to be part of the Transportation Funding Task Force that is charged with developing a vision for transportation in Michigan.
Sustainable energy supply is also critical to business. In Michigan, we are blessed with all the elements of developing alternative energy: a vibrant agricultural industry, abundant natural resources, top-notch research universities and an available work force.
Underlying a vibrant economy is an educated work force. I will continue to advocate for high-quality early childhood development as well as educational programs that prepare our work force to be competitive.
Lielbriedis: What are the top three initiatives you would focus on if elected, and why?
First, transparency in Spending - Just like in the state of Missouri, our state must have online transparency for all citizens to see where the tax dollars go.
It will move our state toward service competitiveness and help rebuild the Trust for Lansing that all citizens desire.
It can be viewed at http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov. This Missouri state program should be our model.
Second, budget reforms - How can the state continue to raise taxes on Michigan families when every family in the state has had to cut back drastically. Every business in Michigan has had to cut back as well to deal with the Michigan recession.
Third, Issue Prioritization - I want legislators to focus on Michigan's problems, not on their own press releases and funding their campaigns.
Byrnes: What can be done to reverse the culture of political polarization that seems to paralyze the Legislature from time to time?
I agree that too much emphasis is put on party affiliation. Particularly with the establishment of term limits, the focus seems to be on which party will control the Legislature and which party can pick up seats.
While there will always be philosophical differences between the parties, there are many areas where the parties can come together. Negotiation and compromise are skills that are acquired.
Trust is also a component of a working Legislature. A revolving door of legislators does not serve our government well.
Extending term limits by a number of years would allow legislators to develop those skills and relationships instrumental for good government.
Lielbriedis: What ideas do you have to reverse the culture of political polarization that seems to paralyze the Legislature from time to time?
Legislators need to simply put Michigan first. Our state has been derailed due to budget pressures and various interest groups.
Michigan will be "first" when legislators focus on common goals, such as job creation.
Lansing should not focus on differences - the Right and the Left can put differences aside and work together on solving the state's common problems.
Byrnes: Would you try to come up with ways to resurrect heavy manufacturing in Michigan, or would you put your energy into attracting other kinds of industry that can still take advantage of our highly skilled work force?
Heavy manufacturing has been declining in our region for decades. As our domestic automakers continue to downsize and cut costs, the Michigan economy will continue to feel the fallout.
While we will continue to manufacture, it will be smarter, more technical. There are areas where Michigan is growing and will continue to grow.
These include health care (University of Michigan Health System is our county's No. 1 employer), tourism (a new promotional effort is currently under way), agritourism (farm markets, wineries), our educational communities (education is a business) and, of course, the research and development spinoffs from our great research universities.
As I mentioned earlier, Michigan can be a leader in alternative energy.
Lielbriedis: Would you try to come up with ways to resurrect heavy manufacturing in Michigan, or would you put your energy into attracting other kinds of industry that can still take advantage of our highly skilled work force?
The jobs of the last century are in large part gone. Today's work force needs advanced training as businesses become more specialized.
In Dundee, a major engine plant requires all workers to have a two-year degree. Those (assembly) line jobs are changing to "computer-line" jobs.
Byrnes: What is your favorite part of the legislative process, what is your least favorite; and what can be done to improve both?
My favorite part is communicating with my constituents and letting them know that their government works for them.
I enjoy my coffee hours, my e-newsletters, and running into people in the grocery store answering their questions.
To be able to introduce legislation that addresses a problem confronting a constituent is very rewarding.
I also enjoy the daily tasks of meeting people from every interest group imaginable, plus learning volumes of new information about issues confronting us, whether it's health care, consumer protection, environmental concerns, or the banking industry.
My least favorite part of the process is not being able to have all my bills acted upon, due to the great number of bills waiting for a hearing.
However, if re-elected, these bills can be reintroduced for possible action in the next Legislature.
Lielbriedis: What is your understanding of how the legislative process works, and what would you change if you could?
The process in Lansing needs to have a sharper focus. As it is now, each legislator can introduce five new bills per month: that equals 5 bills X 12 months X 148 legislators = 8,880 total bills possible per year.
With an overload of bills, how can legislators focus on Michigan's recession and continued job loss?
I would change the number of bills each legislator can introduce to only two per month.
Legislators would have to focus on how to make an impact - this would force them to prioritize.
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